Biological evaluation of a novel copper-containing composite for contraception

To investigate the biocompatibility of a novel copper-containing composite to provide preclinical data for clinical application of intrauterine device (IUD) or intra-vas device (IVD).

Prospective experimental study.

Good laboratory practices laboratories.

Twenty healthy adult mice (SPF grade Kunming white mice, animal code SCXK 2003-0005).

Cytotoxicity tests in vitro were conducted to evaluate the influence of the materials on the morphology, growth, and proliferation of cultured L929 mouse fibroblasts. Acute systemic toxicity tests were conducted to investigate the acute systemic toxic reaction with mice, and then the materials were implanted into the spinal muscle of rabbits (n = 15). The rabbits were sacrificed for pathologic examination at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery.

Evaluation of cytotoxicity by MTT assay, cytotoxicity test by direct contact assay, acute systemic toxicity test, and material implantation test.

The cytotoxicity grade of the copper-containing composite was 0-1, suggesting that the material was free of cytotoxicity; no acute systemic toxicity was found in any mice; mild inflammatory reaction was observed in the surrounding tissues of the implanted material in the early implantation stage, which was similar to that of the sham-operated sides. Twelve weeks after implantation, the inflammatory reaction was completely disappeared in the implanted tissue, similarly to the sham-operated sides. The fibrosis membrane surrounding the material became stable gradually over time.

The copper-containing composite has excellent biocompatibility, which is feasible and safe for the clinical application as a novel contraceptive material.